A dozen political leaders, including the Bidens, were are the tribute service.
Former President Jimmy Carter attended Tuesday’s memorial service for his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, who died earlier this month.
Jimmy Carter, who has been in hospice care since February, made a rare public appearance to attend the tribute at Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University in Atlanta. The 99-year-old former president had a new suit made Monday for the occasion, and was accompanied by a physician when he left his home in Plains en route to the church.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years, the longest marriage of any first couple in U.S. history, and both built a lasting legacy outside the White House through their humanitarian work. Rosalynn became a champion for mental health advocacy.
A dozen political leaders were present at the the invitation-only tribute service for the former first lady, who died on Nov. 19 at the age of 96.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden sat in the front row along with former President Bill Clinton and former first lady Hillary Clinton, as well as former first ladies Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump.
The Clintons and Obama traveled to Georgia on Air Force One with the Bidens, according to the White House.
Also in attendance were Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Georgia Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.
The service began shortly at 1 p.m. and has featured music from members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearword are set to perform. Remarks will be given by Carter’s personal pastor and readings will be done by some Carter’s children and grandchildren.
President Biden was not slated to speak, the White House said Monday, but press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters he and first lady Jill Biden look forward to “offering their condolences and participating in the event by attending.”
MORE: Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, wife of the 39th president and advocate for mental health care, dies at 96
Biden’s relationship with the Carters spans decades, back to when he endorsed Carter for the presidency while serving as a first-term senator in 1976. Biden said earlier this year that former President Carter has asked him to deliver his eulogy.
After Rosalynn Carter’s passing earlier this month, Biden said the former first couple shared great integrity.
“First Lady Rosalynn Carter walked her own path, inspiring a nation and the world along the way,” the Bidens said in a statement.
